Google Apps Is No Longer FREE : Google Runs For The Money

Google Apps started with the simple idea that Gmail could help businesses and schools work better together without the hassles of managing software and servers. As we grew from a handful of customers to a few hundred, Google expanded to offer a premium business version of Google Apps. Fast forward to today and Google Apps is used by millions of businesses. We?ve also added versions for governments, universities and schools.
When they launched the premium business version we kept our free, basic version as well. Both businesses and individuals signed up for this version, but time has shown that in practice, the experience isn?t quite right for either group. Businesses quickly outgrow the basic version and want things like 24/7 customer support and larger inboxes. Similarly, consumers often have to wait to get new features while we make them business-ready.

With this in mind, Google has decided to make things very straightforward. Starting today for all new customers:

• Individuals wishing to use Google?s web apps like Gmail and Google Drive should create a free personal Google Account, which provides a seamless experience across all of our web services on any device.
• For Businesses, instead of two versions, there will be one. Companies of all sizes will sign up for our premium version, Google Apps for Business, which includes 24/7 phone support for any issue, a 25GB inbox, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee with no scheduled downtime. Pricing is still $50 per user, per year.

Please note this change has no impact on the existing customers, including those using the free version. And as before, Google Apps for Education will be available as a free service for schools and universities. Also, as the first cloud productivity suite with FISMA certification, Google will continue to offer Google Apps for Government for $50 per user, per year.

Here is the email i got from Google

Hello from Google,
Here?s some important news about Google Apps?but don?t worry, there?s no need for you to take any action. We just want you to know that we?re making a change to the packages we offer.
Starting today, we?re no longer accepting new sign-ups for the free version of Google Apps (the version you?re currently using). Because you?re already a customer, this change has no impact on your service, and you can continue to use Google Apps for free.
Should you ever want to upgrade to Google Apps for Business, you?ll enjoy benefits such as 24/7 customer support, a 25 GB inbox, business controls, our 99.9% uptime guarantee, unlimited users and more for just $5 per user, per month.
You can learn more about this change in our Help Center or on the Enterprise Blog.
Thank you for using Google Apps.
Clay Bavor
Director, Google Apps

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An innovative and dynamic marketing expert having worked for both local and multinational organisations,having expertise in leading diverse assignments on devising digital/social media marketing strategies, promotions, public relations and business development.As an experienced social media strategist and business analyst, he manages several brands via his 2nd Startup Hybrid Signals (www.hybridsignals.com)Samir is an award winning technology and social media blogger and can be reached at [email?protected]

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